Discussion about Intel CPUs and overclocking. Need help with that new Intel processor? Not sure which one is right for you? Like to void your warranty? This is the place for you! Please keep the topic on Intel Processors!

Is the processor throttling or causing apps to crash? If not then it's not that big of a deal. We have been engrained into thinking that anything over 60 degrees is BAD. But if the computer is still stable, who cares.

I think I pretty much found the culprit. Some of the projects running on BOINC software on my computers will use the graphics processing. They are demanding in what they will use, and up until now, I did not in any of my other machines have suitable graphics processing. So, one project jumped on the GPU in the new system. I have stopped that and now my temp readings on the CPU are in the 60-70C range.

I know that graphics and the CPU are separate; but I also know that there is something about graphics processing involved with Sandybridge.

You can correct any misstatements I am making, and I will appreciate it.

The main point is, I stopped the GPU processing and the temps went down to what I would expect.

I really would like to be able to crunch with GPU, the run up of credits is unbelievable. So, maybe on my next desktop I will buy with parts in mind to allow it.But, hey, I am in the 99th percentile of all BOINC crunchers in the history of BOINC, and that was my goal. I am not really a credit hound, rather, I love contributing to the scientific research in whatever little way we do, and I can afford to have six pretty new PC's., so what with hyper threading, I am processing 32 work units at one time 24/7.

In laptops the CPU and the GPU cooling is done by the same cooler (connected by heatpipes), so yes, when the GPU is under load it raises the heat load of the same cooler, so the extra heat is understandable. On the other hand I would feel very uncomfortable if my laptop's CPU would heat up to 85C for two reasons: the CPU's silicone layer doesn't like long time high temperatures like that and the overall lifespan might be significantly shortened and the other that other chips and parts might be also negatively affected on the motherboard (heat is #1 enemy of computer parts). If I was you I wouldn't use a laptop for this kind of work load (I assume you are using your lap 24/7). I would also change the thermal paste on the CPU and GPU to something of a high quality (ex. tuniq TX-2, 3 or 4). My laptops temps went down almost 10C just because of the TIM change

Sounds normal to me. I had the 2720QM since launch back in January and was always worried it was running too hot. Now that it's been out a while, it seems to be normal in laptops to run like that from various sites I have been searching. I made a lil stress test video for youtube showing the temps and cpu speed.

I would love to open my laptop up and apply some better thermal paste like Artic Silver, but I don't want to void the warranty on it. I have it until next January, and they also just swapped out my motherboard due to the chipset issue. I am very comfortable taking my laptop apart, but then the warranty issue arises. I will definitely do it once it expires. And as stated above, the CPU and graphics processor use the same heatsink. It's time they design some better heatsinks for laptops or add two fans if necessary to keep the air flowing.